'ess- 


Jry*^ 

Ha 


'4 


pie  1 
will  g 
ht), 
he  Ui 


.ad  i 

on 

jrn 

^ear 

the 

tti- 

.he 

es, 


4 

1 


A HOME  FAIRY 


A 

PLAY  FOR  CHILDREN 


FLORENCE  DAVENPORT  ADAMS 


CHICAGO 

The  Dramatic  Publishing  Company 


CHARACTERS, 


Bertie  Egerton,  an  actor.  Modern  dress.  Bright  colored  ( 


Lilian,  his  wife.  Pale  blue  dress,  simply  made. 

Lily,  their  child.  Red  frock;  afterward  a pink  and  white 


dress. 

Cecil  Vane,  a proprietor  of  the 
and  ulster.  White  hair. 


fai 


firy-^ 


‘Olympic.”  Modern  dress. 


TO  THE  AUDIENCE. 

“Be  kind;  they  strive  with  no  inglorious  aim; 

When  they  do  well,  applaud;  and  if  in  aught 
They  shall  come  short,  be  mild  and  merciful  I “ 

— Cardinal  Newman. 


TO  THE  ACTORS. 

These  little  plays  have  been  written  to  supply  you  with  simi  pie 
pieces  in  one  act,  and  all  of  them  require  but  one  entrance.  You  ^wiH 
easily  understand  the  stage  directions  if  you  remember  that  r.  (rigjht), 
and  L.  (left)  mean  a position  to  the  right  or  left  of  the  actor,  asl  he 
stands  facing  the  audience,  c.  means  centre,  and  e.  means  entramce. 
Some  of  the  plays,  such  as  “The  Three  Fairy  Gifts,”  might  be  v< 
well  performed  in  the  garden,  on  a warm  day. 

Satin  is  the  best  stuff  for  costumes,  and  theatrical  braid  can  be  I ^ad 
cheaply,  gold  or  silver.  Sateen,  plain  and  pompadour,  and  comm  on 
velvet,  are  also  useful  for  dresses.  A quilted  satin  skirt  can  be  w( 
with  upper  skirts  of  various  designs.  The  girls  should  always  vj^ear 
dresses.  Queens  look  very  well  with  a long  train  pleated  in  across  the 
shoulders,  and  borne  by  little  pages.  For  fairies'  dresses  and  pe  tti- 
coats  tarlatan  is  best.  Wands  should  be  cut  a little  longer  than  i he 
height  of  the  children  using  them. 

Supernumeraries  can  be  employed  in  nearly  all  the  plays,  as  fair^  es, 
lords  and  ladies,  robbers,  etc. 


■■■i 


C,evv.<-eS., 


t ■'■■■■- 


A HOME  FAIRY 


Scene. — A shabby  parlor.  Sewing  on  table.  Entrance, 

L.  Lilian  discovered  sewtng,  with  Lily  on  the  floor 

beside  her,  playing.  The  lights  should  be  turned  down. 

Lilian.  How  dark  it  gets!  I cannot  see  to  sew  any 
more.  \lays  down  her  worlt\  I think  I heard  papa 
come  in.  I wonder  if  he  has  found  anything  to  do!  Ah 
me!  this  is  a sad  life  for  little  Lily.  How  I wish  I could 
help  to  buy  my  little  one  all  she  needs! 

Lily.  Let  me  help! 

Lilian.  Ah,  Lily  dear,  how  cz.Vi.you  help?  What  can 

a little  fairy  like  you  do?  j i 

Lily.  I can  dance  and  sing,  and  make  toffee,  and  knit 
cuffs,  and  skip,  and — lots  of  things! 

Lilian.  But  I am  afraid  all  that  wouldn’t  assist  us  to 
get  your  dinner,  and  your  clothes,  and  all  that  a little 
girl  wants. 

Lily.  I don’t  want  anything— oh  yes!  I do  want 
something. 

Lilian.  What,  dear? 

Lily.  A song!  Sing  me  one  of  your  nic-e  songs! 

Lilian.  Very  well;  you  shall  have  an  old  favorite. 

Song.  \At  the  close  Lily  kisses  Lilian] 

Lilian.  Ah!  here  is  papa! 

Enter  Bertie.  Lily  runs  and  kisses  him. 

Lilian.  Well,  dear,  any  good  news? 


Bertie.  No,  no 


! {throws  himself  in  the  arm-chair,  R.] 


3 


OF  ^ 


4 


A HOME  FAIRY 


I called  on  our  manager,  but  he  was  out.  It’s  no  use! 
What  can  an  actor  do  with  a broken  arm? 

Lilian.  I do  wish  I could  do  something.  If  only  1 
could  act! 

Bertie.  Never  mind,  dear;  everyone  can’t  be  gifted 
that  way.  Why,  I’d  as  soon  expect  it  of  Fairy  there  as 
of  you. 

Lilian.  Well,  Lily  says  she  can  help,  because  she 
can  dance  and  sing. 

Bertie.  I wish  I could  take  her  to  see  the  children  at 
the  Olympic.  They  act  a pantomime  every  afternoon, 
Lily;  all  little  boys  and  girls!  and  they  dance  and  sing 
ever  so  nicely! 

Lily,  [sitting  on  Bertie’s  knee\  Are  there  fairies? 

Bertie.  Yes;  lots! 

Lily.  I’ve  a fairy  dress.  Mamma  made  it  for  me. 
Let  me  be  a fairy. 

Lilian.  I’ll  tell  you  what,  Lily;  you  shall  put  on  your 
dress,  and  let  papa  see  you  dance  by-and-bye.  But  now, 
dear,  run  and  ask  Jane  to  give  you  tea. 

Lily.  Yes,  mamma.  Come  soon. 

[Exit  Lily,  running 

Bertie.  I am  so  sorry  not  to  have  better  tidings  for 
you.  I really  don’t  know  what  we  shall  do.  Still  we  must 
keep  up  our  spirits  and  not  despair. 

Lilian.  If  only  papa  were  to  know  how  poor  we  are, 
surely  he  would  help  us.  What  a long  time  it  is  since  I 
have  seen  him.  He  was  so  angry  at  our  marrying.  I 
can’t  tell  why! 

Bertie.  I haven’t  the  least  notion  where  Mr.  Vane 
can  be.  I passed  your  old  home  a month  ago,  and  it  was 
empty. 

Lilian.  Perhaps  he  wonders  where  we  are.  Since  you 
became  an  actor,  and  took  a stage  name,  he  would  find 
it  hard  to  trace  us,  would  he  not? 

Bertie.  Not  if  he  wanted  to  find  us,  but  I am  afraid 
he  doesn’t.  Besides,  it’s  only  right  I should  work  for 
you! 

Lilian.  And  so  you  do,  dear.  But  I must  go  now, 
and  dress  Lily  as  I promised.  She  really  dances  very 
nicely  for  her  age!  [Exit  Lilian.] 


A HOME  FAIRY 


5 


Bertie.  If  ever  anybody  felt  in  a fix,  / do!  I haven’t 
a notion  v^hat  to  do!  I applied  for  a clerk’s  place  to- 
day. The  manager  looked  me  all  over,  and  I did  not 
feel  too  well  able  [looking  at  his  clothes']  to  bear  the  scru- 
tiny. Then  he  said,  You  are  a gentleman,  eh?”  ‘‘Cer- 
tainly,” I answered.  “Ah,  then!  you  won’t  do  for  us; 
you  are  sure  not  to  cross  your  t’s  or  dot  your  i’s.” 
[Song.  Knock  at  door]  Hullo!  a knock!  I must  see 
who  that  is.  [Leaves  the  room,  and  returns,  followed 
by  Vane]  Pray  walk  in.  Won’t  you  take  a seat?  Ex- 
cuse my  leaving  you,  but  I am  afraid  we  shall  require  a 
light. 

Vane.  Not  at  all.  [sits  in  arm-chair]  It  does  not 
matter.  [Bertie  sits  down  l.J  The  fact  is,  your  man- 
ager, Mr.  Hart,  met  me  to-day,  and  as  he  was  much 
pressed  for  time,  I volunteered  to  bring  you  a message 
from  him.  I have  myself  lately  become  one  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  your  theatre. 

Bertie.  And  Mr.  Hart’s  message? 

Vane.  Well,  excuse  me,  but  Hart  said  you  had 
lately  met  with  an  accident,  and  were  out  of  employ- 
ment, and  he  had  thought  of  something  that  might  help 
you  to  make  a little  money  if  you  would  accept  his  offer. 

Bertie.  1 expect  I shall  be  very  glad. 

Vane.  You  know  we  have  a children’s  pantomime  on 
in  the  afternoon.  One  of  the  tiny  fairies  has  unfortu- 
nately been  taken  ill,  and  her  place  must  be  supplied. 
Hart  knew  you  had  a little  daughter,  and  thought  per- 
haps she  would  do  if  you  would  let  her  try.  What  do 
you  say? 

Bertie.  I am  afraid  it  is  impossible.  My  child  acts 
the  fairy  in  her  own  home  only.  However,  I thank 
Mr.  Hart  for  his  kind  thought  of  me.  [rises] 

Vane  Do  not  decide  too  rashly.  Suppose  you  con- 
sult your  wife? 

Bertie.  I will  do  so,  but  I am  sure  she  will  think  in 
this  as  I do.  Pardon  me  one  moment. 

[Exit  Bertie.] 

Vane.  Poor  fellow!  Well,  he  is  happy  in  having  a 
household  fairy.  Once  I also  had  one — a dainty,  gold- 
en-haired darling  who  made  my  home  an  Eden.  But 


6 


A HOME  FAIKY 


things  have  altered  since  then!  [sig/is]  Yet  how  the 
old  days  come  back  to  me!  \dreamily\  Again  I see  my 
Lilian,  her  fair,  curling  hair,  and  tender  blue  eyes.  I 
see  the  door  opening,  \here  Lily  Enters]  I see  her 
dancing  in  like  a fairy — ah ! 

Soft  music y as  Lily  dances  in  and  continues  dancing.  She 
wears  a fairy  dress. 

Vane.  I dream! — a dream  of  fairy  land! — let  me  so 
dream  always! 

Lily  at  length  pauses , sees  Vane  and  starts. 

Lily,  [shrinking  back  Vane  advances^  Oh!  I thought 
you  were  papa! 

Vane.  What  is  your  name,  little  one?  [sits  c.] 

Lily.  Lily. 

Vane.  Lily!  I had  a little  Lily  once.  Why  are  you 
called  ‘‘  Lily?” 

Lily.  Mammals  name  is  Lily. 

Vane.  Is  it?  It  is  strange,  but  you  remind  me  of  my 
little  girl,  [dratvs  Lily  between  his  knees'\  Would  you 
like  to  be  a fairy,  dear? 

Lily,  [smiling  at  her  dr ess'\  \ am! 

Vane,  [kissing  her'\  So  you  are! — your  mother^s 
fairy! — But  would  you  like  to  be  a fairy  among  a lot  of 
other  fairies  in  a real  pantomime!  Did  you  ever  see  a 
pantomime? 

Lily.  No,  sir. 

Vane.  Would  you  like  to  go  with  me  to  see  a pan- 
tomime! 

Lily.  Oh  yes!  ever  so  much! — if  mamma  came  too. 

Vane.  Shall  we  ask  her  to  come? 

Lily.  Yes,  please. 

Vane.  Suppose  I tell  you  a story  of  a fairy  I once 
knew? 

Lily.  Oh  yes!  [climbs  up  on  Vane’s  knee'\  1 do  like 
stories! 

Vane.  Listen  then.  Many,  many  years  ago,  I lived 
in  an  old  rambling  house. 

Lily.  Was  it  haunted? 

Vane.  Well,  some  people  imagined  it  must  be,  and 
they  thought  it  was  dark  and  dreary  ; but  it  wasn’t,  be- 
cause [mysteriously^  there  was  a fairy  there! 


A HOME  FAIRY 


1 


Lily.  Oh ! ! 

Vane.  Yes! — and  she  had  bright  hair  and  blue  eyes 
like  yours,  and  she  used  to  dance  about  the  rooms  just 
as  you  were  dancing,  and  wherever  she  went  she  carried 
sunshine  with  her. 

Lily.  How  nice! 

Vane.  But  do  you  know  what  happened?  One  day 
a grtat  ogre  came,  and  he  hated  me,  and  thought  he 
would  do  something  very  unkind.  And  so — and  so  he 
took  away  my  fairy,  and  left  my  home  dark  and  desolate  ! 

Lily.  What  a great,  nasty,  horidble  ogre  ! I hate 
him,  and  I love  you  ! [kisses  Vane] 

Meanwhile  Bertie  and  Lilian  have  entered.  Bertie 

turns  up  the  light,  and  Lilian  goes  l.  , and  bends  Vane. 

Lilian.  Oh  father!  forgive  us!  [kneels.  Vane  starts 
and  puts  down  Lily] 

Bertie.  [R.]  Lily,  / am  the  ogre! 

Lily,  [indignantly']  You  are  an  ogre! 

[clings  to  Bertie] 

Vane.  What  is  this?  I dream  again! 

[looks  eagerly  at  Lilian] 
Only  say  you  wish  the  dream  were  true! 
True?  Yes!  I would  it  were! 

Then  believe  I am  your  loving  daughter. 
[caressing  her]  My  dear  Lilian,  let  all  be 
Once  more  make  my  home  yours,  and  brighten 
And  this  little  one  is  mine,  too?  [draws 


Lilian. 

Vane. 

Lilian. 

Vane. 

forgiven! 
it  with  your  love. 


Lily  to  him] 

Bertie.  Yes, sir; I stole  one  fairy,  and  give  you  back  two  ! 
Vane.  Nay,  Lilian  is  yours  now!  Little  one,  papa 
was  the  ogre,  and  he  took  away  mamma!  She  was  once 

my  fairy. 

Lily,  [nestling  in  Vane^s  arms]  Then  / will  be  your 

fairy  now! 

Vane.  So  be  it ; and  blessed,  now  and  always,  are 
the  children  who  make  our  Home  Fairies. 


Chorus. 


Bertie. 


Chair 


R. 


Vane. 

Lily. 


Lilian. 


THE  ■ DEESTRICK  - SKULE 

-OF- 

Film  Years  floo 


In  June,  1888,  the  Ladies’  Society  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church  in  Topeka,  Kansas,  gave  this  Entertainment,  the  (.  niy  expense 
being  the  purchase  of  a Program  Book.  The  comm'ttee  ^.hose  ^.iieir 
forty  or  fifty  scholars  (but  twenty,  or  even  fifteen,  wouia  make  a good 
school  if  the  stage  is  very  small),  selecting  some  of  the  oldest  and  best 
known  citizens,  met  and  formed  classes,  giving  each  in  care  of  a teacher, 
who  drilled  it  separately,  and  when  ready  met  for  general  rehearsal  in 
ail  exercises.  Each  teacher  wrote  out  his  class  program,  with  names 
and  aliases  in  full,  for  the  use  of  the  master.  The  entertainment  was 
given  at  the  Grand  Opera  House,  tickets  25  and  35  cents,  and  they 

cleared  $290. 

“The  Deestrick  Skule”  has  since  been  given  in  scores  of  towns, 
and  everywhere  with  success.  A manual  has  been  prepared  giving  full 
instructions  for  getting  up  the  “ Deestrick  Skule.”  It  contains  the 
questions  and. answers  for  the  various  classes,  hints  on  coslume,  sev- 
eral “Compositions”  and  “Pieces”  for  the  latter  part  of  the  enter- 
tainment, a parting  poetical  “Tribe-ute,”  from  the  “Maw”  of  two 
pairs  of  tw^ins,  and  the  speech  of  the  “Head  Committee  Man.” 

“One  of  the  best  entertainments  of  the  kind  it  has  ever  been  my 
pleasure  to  attend.” — Florence  Lee  in  Good  Housekeeping:;. 


Sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price,  50  cents. 


The  Dramatic  Publishing  Company 

CHICAGO 


ENTERTAINMENTS 


Recognizing  the  demand  for  novelties 
in  entertainments  suitable  for  social  gath- 
erings and  benevolent  purposes,  we  keep 
in  stock  a full  assortment  of  Amateur 
Plays,  Recitations,  and  Dialogue  Books, 
Tableaux,  Charades,  Socials,  etc.  We 
can  furnish  any  play  or  book  published. 

Full  descriptive  catalogues,  giving  titles, 
number  of  characters,  time  required  for 
production,  etc.,  will  be  sent  free  on  ap- 
plication. 


THE  DRAMATIC  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 
CMICAHO 


